The former Director of Vatican Radio and of the Holy See Press office Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, last night received France’s highest order the Legion d’Honneur.

It was in recognition of a career devoted to communicating the message of the Holy See but also for his attention to the French language especially through its diffusion through the airwaves of Vatican Radio.

Speaking at the ceremony in Rome, Fr Lombardi who is now President of the Ratzinger Foundation underlined the importance of circulating the Pope’s message in the media.

He also added that the coverage of international news by the media of the Holy See was an indispensable condition for understanding the major concerns of the Church.

The Legion of Honour, full name National Order of the Legion of Honour (French: Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur), is the highest French order for military and civil merits, established 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte.